Former teacher facing new sex misconduct charges

A former Shadle Park High School teacher, already charged with sexual misconduct, is now facing new child pornography charges in relation to charges he had inappropriate relationships with underage female students.

Prosecutors charged Ryan Murphy on March 7 with first degree sexual misconduct; now the ex-English instructor is also suspected of possessing child pornography.

In addition to a charge of second degree possession of depictions of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct, filed April 12, Murphy has also been charged with new counts of communication with a minor for immoral purposes and second degree sexual misconduct.

To date, several girls have come forward and told police that Murphy, who was also a track coach at Shadle Park, flirted with them and regularly rubbed their shoulders and legs.

The latest alleged victim to come forward claimed Murphy gave her better grades than she deserved in exchange for nude photos of herself that she sent to Murphy.

A second girl has substantiated the claims that Murphy sent the teen, who was 16 at the time, explicit texts describing his sexual fantasies about the student.

Murphy resigned from the Spokane school district when he was confronted with allegations he had an inappropriate with another student. He is currently not in custody and has now been ordered to appear in court on the new charges later this month.

Officials at the Office of Public Instruction are waiting for Murphy's misconduct case to go to court before deciding if they'll revoke his teaching credential.